Ebola Crisis in West Africa – Logistics Support - WFP 2015

August 2015 - On August 8 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa a public health emergency of international concern. To date a total of over 27 800 confirmed EVD cases have been reported in Guinea Liberia and Sierra Leone with 11 281 deaths. The outbreak has been unprecedented in terms of its scale geographic reach humanitarian impact as well as its social and economic repercussions. Although the number of new cases has decreased substantially since their peak in late 2014 a sustained focus on the emergency response remains crucial in order to avoid a resurgence of the virus. With DFATD’s support the United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP) is helping to reduce and control the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa by responding to the logistical needs of the humanitarian community. Project activities include: (1) maintaining logistics staging areas in Accra national hubs in Monrovia Freetown and Conakry and forward logistics bases in the affected countries to accelerate the delivery of life-saving items such as medical supplies and personal protection items; (2) providing humanitarian air services and strategic airlift; (3) providing support for inter-agency logistics coordination and telecommunications infrastructure; (4) increasing supply chain capacity; and (5) implementing strategic preparedness measures.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved ability of humanitarian agencies to respond quickly and effectively to humanitarian needs; (2) enhanced capacity of humanitarian actors to identify investigate and interrupt the remaining chains of Ebola transmission; and (3) improved coordination and management of the international humanitarian response. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.